By Henry Kargbo
The Director General of Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), Abu Kamara, has urged the Government of Sierra Leone to close all copper trading companies in the country. Kamara made this challenging statement on Thursday 29 September 2022 at a budget presentation at the conference room of the Ministry of Finance in Freetown.
According to Kamara, EDSA materials are being stolen from their station points across the country and those who steal the Authority’s copper cable from their power stations do trade or sell to those who are in the habit of buying copper cable.
Kamara stated that copper theft in the country had hindered the company’s work, adding that a lot of their materials had been stolen.
“We are not a copper mining country; government should seize their licence, and let them go to Zimbabwe,” he said, adding that Sierra Leone is not a copper trading or mining country.
He said EDSA is facing numerous challenges, namely illegal connection, electricity theft, and cutting of EDSA cables while is use or operation.
Furthermore, Kamara stated that the management of EDSA is about to sack ten staff for obtaining money for illegal connection from people.
He told Ministry of Finance that despite the challenges, EDSA had been able to raise Le80 billion as revenue collected for August this year.
“In October this year, Kono and other parts of the country will be having 24-hour electricity,” he said, adding that EDSA would connect pre-payment meters and streetlights to twenty-nine villages.
Kamara said EDSA “now boasts” of 15.32km, dedicated 33kv power line from TRANSCO CLSG, which is ongoing.
Kamara also said EDSA plans to rollout at least 100,000 prepaid meters including adequate vending stations in order to reduce commercial loss and to boost revenue collection.
He said that in 2023 the institution would provide “quality and consistent service” throughout the country.
The institution “wants to improve security” over EDSA assets against vandalization, he added.
